Kenya

One Health in Kenya

Global Implementation Solutions was provided funds to conduct a high-level information-sharing meeting between countries that have developed One Health programs in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East / North Africa. This meeting was held in Nairobi, Kenya on September 23-24, 2015 and included high-level stakeholders and ministry officials who have been closely involved in One Health activities.

The objectives of the meeting were to discuss successes and challenges in standing up Zoonotic Disease Units (ZDUs), discuss the creation of regional networks of professionals focused on zoonotic diseases and One Health issues, sensitize government officials to the concept of One Health, share documents (including integrated disease guidelines and plans), and develop a common website to facilitate continued communication among stakeholders. Through the development of One Health frameworks in African countries, disease detection, reporting, and thus outbreak control will improve as experts in epidemiology, medical, and veterinary health will become better aligned.

The meeting included participation from Cameroon, Nigeria, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt, Uganda, and Rwanda. The meeting focused on providing a forum for sharing integrated disease guidelines and contingency plans; open discussions about cross boundary issues and challenges; developing a mechanism for networking and building relationships; establishing partnerships to promote One Health approaches; and discussions centered around conducting coordinated applied research at the human-animal-ecosystem interface in order to better understand the mechanisms of zoonotic pathogen maintenance and transmission to humans.

Global Implementation Solutions has been working with the Kenya Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) since the signing of the MoU between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development in 2009. GIS has supported the development and launch of Kenya’s One Health Strategic Plan, Communication Plan, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, integrated guideline development for Rift Valley Fever, Rabies, Anthrax and Brucellosis.

The One Health concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care of humans, animals and the environment.

One Health seeks to promote, improve, and defend the health and well-being of all species by enhancing cooperation and collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, other scientific health and environmental professionals and by promoting strengths in leadership and management to achieve these goals.

Biosecurity Policy Development in Kenya

Global Implementation Solutions managed the development of the Kenya Bioscience Policy and Bill. The legislation will be submitted to Parliament by the end of 2015. Activities included writing workshops, sensitization meetings, bill finalization, and a Parliamentarian Sensitization Workshop.

Funding: Department of State Biosecurity Engagement Program

Lab Activities in Kenya

Global Implementation Solutions is supporting capacity building at Isiolo and Kajiado County Laboratories. GIS conducted site visits at both the Hospital Laboratories to assess their diagnostic capacities and disease surveillance capabilities. Kaitlin Sandhaus and GIS technical consultants assessed each laboratory using a modified checklist based on IDSR priority disease guidelines, the WHO SLIPTA tool and the American Society of Microbiology (ASM) checklist; as well as interviewed key staff and laboratory managers.

GIS will provide mentorship, basic microbiology training and will procure equipment for both laboratories.